Booking and Planning A Cruise Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I book a cruise?
A: There are a variety of different options that you can choose in order to book a cruise vacation. One of the most common options is to book online on your cruise line's website. This would be called booking directly with your cruise line. Some cruise lines also allow you to call their phone number and book with one of their agents on the phone.
Another option to book a cruise would be to call a travel agent. Travel agents are not obsolete and are a good way to book your cruise. Just make sure you get an agent that you are comfortable using and one that is reliable.
Q: When do cruise lines run sales?
A: Cruise lines are almost running sales all of the time. Check out your cruise line's website and try to find out if your cruise line is running a sale.
Q: Is it possible to cancel my cruise if I decide not to go?
A: Each cruise line has a different cancellation policy with different terms and conditions. The majority of cruise lines allow you a certain period of time to cancel without a penalty, but this does apply to all cruise lines. Before you book your cruise make sure you understand and know your cruise line's cancellation policy if you are on the fence about whether or not you will take the cruise.
Q: Is it true the more times you cruise the more money you save?
A: Sometimes cruise lines will run past guest sales or run a sale geared towards certain members on the loyalty level. Be on the lookout for sales like this if you are on a certain loyalty tier or a past guest. This is not always true because not all cruise lines do this, but you never know!
Q: Do kids get to cruise free?
A: There are some sales that allow kid's to be free, but otherwise kids do not usually get to sail for free. Some cruise lines offer discounted kid rates and some other cruise lines require kids pay full price.
Q: What is typically included in my cruise fare?
A: The answer to this question will vary by cruise line and ship. Typically the price of a cruise vacation will include a stateroom, dining, many of the ship's amenities, and most activities. Some cruise lines & ships have activities, events, amenities, and dining spots that will require a passenger to pay extra if they wish to participate. Before booking ask your cruise line & travel agent what is included with the price of your fare.
Q: I want to book a cruise close to home. Where do cruise ships depart from?
A: Cruise ships depart from a variety of locations across the world and close to home will depend on where you live. A few departure ports in the United States are, but are not limited to, Miami, Port Canaveral (Orlando), Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Galveston, New Orleans, Houston, New York, Charleston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Baltimore, and Boston.
Q: Should I choose a flight that comes in on the day of the cruise or before?
A: I recommend choosing a flight that comes in at least one day before the cruise because you might miss your cruise if there is a delay on the day of your cruise. Even flying in earlier than the day of could cause problems, especially during times of bad weather. I recommend flying in early and spending some time in your departure port city.
A: There are a variety of different options that you can choose in order to book a cruise vacation. One of the most common options is to book online on your cruise line's website. This would be called booking directly with your cruise line. Some cruise lines also allow you to call their phone number and book with one of their agents on the phone.
Another option to book a cruise would be to call a travel agent. Travel agents are not obsolete and are a good way to book your cruise. Just make sure you get an agent that you are comfortable using and one that is reliable.
Q: When do cruise lines run sales?
A: Cruise lines are almost running sales all of the time. Check out your cruise line's website and try to find out if your cruise line is running a sale.
Q: Is it possible to cancel my cruise if I decide not to go?
A: Each cruise line has a different cancellation policy with different terms and conditions. The majority of cruise lines allow you a certain period of time to cancel without a penalty, but this does apply to all cruise lines. Before you book your cruise make sure you understand and know your cruise line's cancellation policy if you are on the fence about whether or not you will take the cruise.
Q: Is it true the more times you cruise the more money you save?
A: Sometimes cruise lines will run past guest sales or run a sale geared towards certain members on the loyalty level. Be on the lookout for sales like this if you are on a certain loyalty tier or a past guest. This is not always true because not all cruise lines do this, but you never know!
Q: Do kids get to cruise free?
A: There are some sales that allow kid's to be free, but otherwise kids do not usually get to sail for free. Some cruise lines offer discounted kid rates and some other cruise lines require kids pay full price.
Q: What is typically included in my cruise fare?
A: The answer to this question will vary by cruise line and ship. Typically the price of a cruise vacation will include a stateroom, dining, many of the ship's amenities, and most activities. Some cruise lines & ships have activities, events, amenities, and dining spots that will require a passenger to pay extra if they wish to participate. Before booking ask your cruise line & travel agent what is included with the price of your fare.
Q: I want to book a cruise close to home. Where do cruise ships depart from?
A: Cruise ships depart from a variety of locations across the world and close to home will depend on where you live. A few departure ports in the United States are, but are not limited to, Miami, Port Canaveral (Orlando), Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Galveston, New Orleans, Houston, New York, Charleston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Baltimore, and Boston.
Q: Should I choose a flight that comes in on the day of the cruise or before?
A: I recommend choosing a flight that comes in at least one day before the cruise because you might miss your cruise if there is a delay on the day of your cruise. Even flying in earlier than the day of could cause problems, especially during times of bad weather. I recommend flying in early and spending some time in your departure port city.